Tag Archives: cleaning

A guide to your outdoor furniture care this summer

Posted on by webadmin
outdoor furniture
02 Nov

As the weather warms up here, you begin spending more time outdoors, making sure your outdoor furniture is ready for summer by cleaning any dirt, pollen, or other debris that may have gathered over the offseason. If you don’t take care of your furniture, it may begin to seem worn.  In this blog, we share some tips on how to refresh your outdoor furniture in time for summer and care for it throughout the season.

We’ll give you some tips on how to spruce up your outdoor furniture ready for use, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time getting back to relaxing and entertaining.

Outdoor Furniture Made of Timber

Cleaning your outdoor furniture is as simple as brushing it off and wiping it down with a damp towel or a mild soapy solution.  If your timber furniture has weathered, you will need to sand it back and then apply your chosen finish.  If it has not weathered and sanding is not required, then applying an oil or water based sealant will certainly refresh your timber. For Kwila timber furniture, we recommend Kasule Kwila oil.  For teak timber, there are many options, and it depends on what you want your teak to look like.

Outdoor Furniture made of Aluminum

 Aluminium is an excellent choice for outdoor use.  To maintain aluminium furniture you should clean it with a soap and water solution before rinsing with clean water.

Cushions and Fabrics

The fabric that covers the cushions of sofas and lounge chairs is an important aspect of outdoor furniture care. As they are exposed to the elements, they should be cleaned on a regular basis with mild soap and a lukewarm water solution. Most quality outdoor cushion covers can be removed and placed in a washing machine on a delicate wash.  However, check the recommendations for your cushions.

We know it’s hard to keep on top of your outdoor living space, so we hope these few tips and tricks help when sprucing your furniture back to life ready for the Summer months!

If you are looking for new pieces of furniture this Summer, come into Daydream Leisure furniture or if you are looking for advice on how to care for your outdoor furniture contact us today!

DIY: How to Properly Clean your Outdoor Rug

Posted on by webadmin
DIY: How to Properly Clean your Outdoor Rug | Daydream Leisure Furniture
19 Oct

With spring here and the summer holidays quickly creeping up on us, there’s no surprise that outdoor areas become the most utilised space. We certainly believe there is no better time than now to begin freshening up your entertainment area and ensuring you are prepared for the upcoming festive season!

An accessory that most people tend to avoid is cleaning their outdoor rug. Outdoor rugs are the perfect transitional piece to transform a functional space into a comfortable living area. Most outdoor rugs are synthetic, so they’re mould and mildew resistant, yet the accumulation of dirt and grime cannot be prevented. Seeing as we’re the outdoor furniture experts, we thought we’d share our top tips for cleaning your outdoor rug.

  1. Know the fabric

The material of the rug will certainly determine how you approach cleaning it. The common types of materials are:

  • Acrylic
  • Bamboo
  • Nylon
  • Polyester
  • Polypropylene

Whilst these rugs are more durable and robust, each material has its positives and negatives that you should research. If you are unfamiliar with the type of material your rug is, feel free to contact us and we can assist you in the right direction.

  1. Clean off surface dirt

Once you’ve done your research, use a soft brush to sweep off any debris on your rug. Make sure you vacuum any of the remaining dirt and surrounding floor area. If possible, try shaking your rug to help remove any excess.

  1. Spot clean if necessary

Any liquid stains that are fresh should be blotted to prevent the stain from seeping deeper into the rug fibres. Using a butter knife to carefully lift any dry debris and vacuuming it after is also very handy!

  1. Soapy Water

Using a big bucket, pour about 1 tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid for every 3 ½ litres of water. Clear soap will stop the colours from transferring onto your rug!

  1. Begin the deep clean

Lying your rug down on an elevated driveway or any clean surface will help with the wash away. Begin hosing down the rug and use a soft brush to start scrubbing! Use your own intuition to decide whether the entire rug needs to be cleaned or just certain areas. Rinse the rug again and either lay it in the sun or hang it over a fence to dry.

Pro tip** Trial the soap and scrubbing brush in one corner of the rug to see how it takes to it. Proceed the clean if there are no damages visible. Discontinue the clean and consult a professional if issues arise.

That’s it! Depending on the size of the rug, this process can take about 30 minutes to one hour to clean. There’s no better feeling than revitalising your favourite rug and saving some $$$ in the process.

We’d like to remind our lovely readers that this process will present better results if your rug has been cared for throughout the year. If you’re unsure of what we’re talking about here are a few more tips.

  • Blot spills immediately after an accident with a white cloth
  • Avoid harsh chemicals, as it can cause fading
  • Store your rug in a dry area when the outdoor entertaining season is over
  • Allow your rug to dry completely from moisture before vacuuming
  • Vacuum and shake regularly

If you’re looking for a new rug to make your outdoor entertainment setting more inviting, then give the team at Daydream Leisure Furniture a call. We have a large variety of outdoor rugs to suit everyone’s needs and we can give you the best advice on which rug is best suited for you!